Review: Batman Beyond #4
By Philip Schweier
January 25, 2017 - 11:37
DC Comics
Writer(s): Dan Jurgens
Penciller(s): Pete Woods
Inker(s): Pete Woods
Colourist(s): Pete Woods
Letterer(s): Travis Lanham
Cover Artist(s): Bernard Chang and Marcelo Maiolo; variant by Martin Ansin
Terry’s
secret is out. He’s been Batman since high school, and his former girlfriend,
Dana, is none to happy to learn he’s kept this from her for so long. And he’s
none too happy for her to find out this way, but he had plenty of opportunities
to tell her, I’m sure.
But right now, they have bigger issues. Terminal is moving forward on his scam to resurrect the Joker, but there’s an even darker secret beneath that ploy. Slowly these threads are being gathered and woven into a fabric that could lead to upheaval in the Gotham City of the future.
One of the things I enjoy about a title such as Batman Beyond (or Legion of Super-Heroes, or Kamandi or Warlord) is that it can so easily exist outside of established DCU continuity. Continuity can be a helpful tool, but many fans and creators wield that tool like a crowbar, doing more damage than good. When given the opportunity, creators have nearly unlimited opportunities to tell engaging, entertaining stories.
Chang and Marcello take a break from art chores this issue. Instead, Pete Woods is handling the total package, short of letters. I always appreciate seeing an artist who provides total service. It’s a cohesive vision, free from re-interpretation by another contributor.